10 days ago we said our farewells to our dear friend, Weisa. Today we have said our farewells to her brother Henry. It seems hardly possible that he has also gone from our lives so unexpectedly.
On our return journey from Weisa's funeral we stopped to see her brother, Henry, in hospital.  He was admitted the day before his sister died. The person we had known all our lives was not the same one that lay on that hospital bed. His spirit had already gone it seems, gone with his much loved sister.
For the families this was such a heart wrenching day. 10 days ago they were dealing with the loss of a mother, grandmother and aunt. Today they shed more tears for the loss of a father, grandfather and uncle.
We grew up here with no relatives but our parents. Their friends were our surrogate aunts and uncles. Their children were our surrogate cousins. So it is that we have lost 2 of our cherished cousins.
Our children called him 'laughing  Henry'. Always a happy and generous man. Ready with a joke and a helping hand, his troubles he kept to himself. 
R.I.P. Henry Kielch.